Our fourth and final Mount Vinson expedition of the season is assembling in Punta Arenas, Chile, finalizing their preparations for an attempt to climb the highest peak in Antarctica.

Jim Holliday has made the long journey from Pittsburgh, PA.

Ariana Myers and Chuck Nuzum are making their way from California.

Our good friend Dan Elsberg met Jim yesterday, and he plans to meet Ariana and Chuck later today, in Punta Arenas. Dan will help Jim, Ariana and Chuck with expedition logistics in Punta Arenas until they board the flight to the Ice.  Guide Jacob Schmitz will meet the climbers at the Union Glacier airstrip and lead them up Mount Vinson.

Jim Holliday demonstrating good ice axe technique during the equipment check in Punta Arenas, Chile

The climbers will spend the next couple of days enjoying Punta Arenas and attending some meetings that are required of all climbers flying to Antarctica.  Their flight south is scheduled for the morning of January 9th.

We will post updates as we hear from the team, meaning that we hope to post daily.  Jacob will encourage each climber to call in audio posts, so that you can hear about the trip in the words of the climbers.  On occasion, the team could be too busy to call in or the terrain or weather might prevent them from connecting via satellite phone.  If there is no post for a day or two, please keep in mind the axiom, “No News Is Good News!”

Best of luck to the climbers and welcome to Punta Arenas!